New Delhi (NVI): The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that COVID-19 can be spread by airborne transmission.
In an updated guidance, the CDC said, “Some Covid-19 infections can be spread by exposure to viruses in small droplets and particles or aerosols that can linger in the air for minutes to hours.”
“These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space,” it added.
The guidelines also stated that how studies have suggested that lack of ventilation has contributed to airborne COVID-19 transmission of people who were more than 6 feet away from each other.
“There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation than outdoors. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example, while singing or exercising,” the CDC said.
However, CDC still highlights the fact that chances of contracting the coronavirus is still higher if you’re in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 than through airborne transmission.
Last month, the same guidelines were published ‘accidentally’ (which allegedly was a draft of the guidelines) and were removed after some time. However, this time it seems like it is here to stay, according to the reports.
Furthermore, the CDC urged people to wear face masks as masks are the only weapon that can effectively protect against airborne transmission of the coronavirus.
“People can protect themselves from the virus that causes COVID-19 by staying at least 6ft away from others, wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth, washing their hands frequently, cleaning touched surfaces often and staying home when sick,” the CDC said.
It also suggested to know the importance of ventilation to prevent the virus from being trapped indoors and infecting others.
-RJV
